Billie Ann Rice and John Feight hold one of the stones that will eventually form a “walk through” eagle sculpture.

A brand new 107-acre park at the top of Mt. Oglethorpe with hiking trails, scenic overlooks and a rock sculpture will open Saturday – talk about a Christmas present to the county. “Eagle’s Rest” will soar to life Saturday, Dec. 21st with a Laying of the Stones ceremony at 2 p.m. The public is invited to watch or participate with the laying of stones to form the initial marking of a large “walk through” eagle sculpture on the southern face of the mountain.

Organizers are preparing to welcome a large crowd to downtown Jasper for the 2013 New Year’s Eve celebration featuring fireworks, a ball drop, vendors, music and giveaways (see full page ad this week for details). Jasper Mayor John Weaver said the city, the Chamber of Commerce, Jasper Merchants Association and downtown business owners are working to establish this as an annual celebration that will fill the streets with people ringing in the New Year.

Damon Howell / Photo Moss Firearms owner Brannen Moss discusses the difference between the bolt-action rifles similar to the ones used by the Pickens DAV Honor Guard (top) and the AR-15s (bottom) similar to the ones he is raising money to purchase for the local chapter.

When Brannen Moss attended the funeral of his best friend’s grandfather – a retired Navy man - one of the Pickens County Chapter DAV rifles being used during the Honor Guard ceremony misfired. “That’s not what you want to happen at a funeral when you are trying to perform your Honor Guard duties,” said Moss, gunsmith and owner of Moss Firearms in Jasper. “It’s embarrassing.”

This Saturday, Dec. 21, will be a great opportunity to shop local, supporting both the Downtown Merchants and the Jasper Farmers’ Market vendors when they come together on Main Street. The vendors’ sales hours are from 9:30 to 1:30 (vendors should arrive on or shortly after 9). The Main

ATLANTA, Dec. 17 — The Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD) announced today that Orlaco, a global manufacturer of camera solutions for heavy equipment, on-road truck, crane and fork lift manufacturers, will open its first U.S.-based office and warehouse in Pickens County, creating 65 jobs over the next five years.